Film cassette holder for facilitating the taking of portable roentgenograms of the head

ABSTRACT

A portable, multi-position, film-cassette-holding device to facilitate roentgenography of the cranium and other skeletal structures. The holder is formed of two rectangular, parallel plates of rigid material slightly larger in area than the standard X-ray film cassette. The top plate is of plexiglass, or other radiotransparent material of sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the anatomical member being analyzed, and is fixedly separated from the bottom plate by a distance sufficient to allow a standard X-ray film cassette to be inserted therebetween. The top plate contains three linear slots spaced along and proximate three edges of the plate and of sufficient length and width to permit the insertion therein of the lower portion of an X-ray film cassette, the plane of which is oriented normal to the plane of the cassette-holding device. Spaced between the linear slots and the corresponding nearest outer edges of the top member are a plurality of holes for the removable insertion and retention of a support post, slideably attached to which is an adjustable clamp member.

United States Patent [191 Reed FILM CASSETTE HOLDER FOR FACILITATING THE TAKING OF PORTABLE ROENTGENOGRAMS OF THE HEAD [76] Inventor: Dale E. Reed, 912 E. 32nd,

Spokane, Wash. 99203 [22] Filed: Aug. 2, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 494,075

Primary Examiner -Craig E. Church Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Chernoff & Vilhauer [451 Oct. 28, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT A portable, multi-position, film-cassette-holding device to facilitate roentgenography of the cranium and other skeletal structures. The holder is formed of two rectangular, parallel plates of rigid material slightly larger in area than the standard X-ray film cassette. The top plate is of plexiglass, or other radiotransparent material of sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the anatomical member being analyzed, and is fixedly separated from the bottom plate by a distance sufficient to allow a standard X-ray film cassette to be inserted therebetween. The top plate contains three linear slots spaced along and proximate three edges of the plate and of sufficient length and width to permit the insertion therein of the lower portion of an X-ray film cassette, the plane of which is oriented normal to the plane of the cassette-holding device. Spaced between the linear slots and the corresponding nearest outer edges of the top member are a plurality of holes for the removable insertion and retention of a support post, slideably attached to which is an adjustable clamp member.

8 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure US. Patent 0a. 28, 1975 FIG. 2

FIG.5

FIG. 7

FILM CASSETTE HOLDER FOR FACILITATING .TIIE TAKING F PORTABLE ROENTGENOGRAMS OF THE HEAD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION tims where one or more roentgenograms must be taken quickly and minimal interruption of theemergency medical treatment being administered.

The present procedure for out-of-lab cranical roentgenograms is to transport portable X-ray equipment to the location of the patient and then take at least two routine roentgenograms of the cranium, an anteroposterior (face) view and a lateral (side) view. For the anteroposterior view, the supine patients head is lifted, and held while the unrestrained film cassette is positioned thereunder and the head is then lowered directly onto the cassette for the X-ray exposure. If, as is often the case when the patients head is lowered onto the film cassette, the cassette does not remain in a planar position and parallel to the floor, pillows or other suitable materials must be packed under and about the cassette until it becomes and remains horizontal. After the antero-posterior exposure has been made, the patients head is again lifted, held and then relowered while the film cassette is being removed. A new cassette is then repositioned at one side of the patients head for the lateral exposure and held there in a flat vertical plane by adhesive tape or pillow supports. Before the exposure, the patients head is again lifted and propped in a position where it will be completely included in the roentgenogram. After the lateral exposure, the film cassette is removed and the patients head is lifted once more while the propping elements are removed.

The main disadvantages of the above procedure are that, during the taking of the two roentgenograms, the patients head must be moved and repositioned at least four and often five different times, and an excessive amount of non-productive time is spent positioning, flattening, leveling and securing the film cassette before each exposure. The repeated movement of the patients head causes additional patient discomfort and increases the probability of further injury to an accident victim, while the excessive wasted time oftentimes critically delays diagnosis and treatment.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is directed to a portable holding device for the speedy placement and positioning of an X-ray film cassette about the head of a supine patient with a minimum amount of patient head movement and attendant discomfort and, more particularly, to a film cassette holding device that, once in position, allows the successive placement, flattening, securing and exposure of the X-ray film in both the horizontal and vertical planes without any intermediate movement of the patients head.

The holder comprises top and bottom rectangular plate members fixedly attached parallel to one another and separated by a distance sufficient to allow the insertion of a standard X-rayfilm cassette between the twoplatesThetop member is of clear plexiglass, or other material substantially transparent to X-ray radiation and of sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the head or other bodymember without bending. The top member contains three linear slots spaced along and near three edges of the plate and a plurality of holes spaced between the linear, slots and the corresponding near edges of the plate. One or more support posts with slideablyattached, adjustable clamp members are provided for insertion into the holes of the top plate to support the top edge of a film cassette, the plane of which is oriented normal to the plane of the parallel plates and the bottom portion of which is insertedly engaged in one of the linear slots formed in the top plate.

To use the cassette-holding device, the head of a supine patient is lifted and the device placed thereunder in a substantially horizontal position and oriented with the respective linear slots in the top plate of the devices aligned with each side and the top of the patients head. The patients head is then lowered either directly onto the top plexiglass member, or onto a radiotransparent padded covering placed therebetween, and a portable X-ray machine positioned such that the rays emanating therefrom will pass through the patients head and strike substantially normal to the two parallel plate members. A film cassette may then be inserted between the two plates of the cassette holder and the anteroposterior roentgenogram taken without further discomfort or disturbance to the patient. Once exposed, the film cassette is readily removed and a new film cassette placed near either side of the patients head with its plane oriented normal to the cassette-holding device by inserting its lower portion into the appropriate linear slot in the top plate and resting its lower edge on the upper surface of the bottom plate. If needed, a cassette support post may then be inserted into one of the holes near the selected slot of the top member and its slideably-attached clamp member adjusted to engage and temporarily retain the top portion of the cassette. The portable X-ray machine is then repositioned so that its rays will again pass through the patients head and strike the film at a right angle thereby producing a lateral roentgenogram.

If desired, a second or additional lateral roentgenogram may be taken, after the previous film cassette is removed, by relocating the cassette support post to the opposite side of the patients head, inserting a new film cassette into the corresponding linear slot in the top plate and engaging its top edge by the adjustable clamp member attached to the cassette support post. As before, the portable X-ray machine must be repositioned so that its rays will again pass through the patients head and strike substantially normal to the film cassette.

If, at the time the film cassette holder is originally positioned, the patients shoulders are elevated and the cassette holder tilted, it will then be possible to expose an additional roentgenogram of the superior, or top, view of the patients head by positioning and supporting a new film cassette in the linear slot near the top of the patients head and repositioning the portable X-ray machine accordingly. I

If the patient is not confined to a supine position, he may be placed on his side and the film cassette holder initially placed in a slightly elevated position such that the patients head may be laid sideways thereon. In this 3 case the film cassette may be successively located between the two plates of the film holding device and within the slots of the top plate such that front, side and back views of the cranium may be taken without intermediate repositioning of the patients head.

When all desired roentgenograms have been taken and all film cassettes removed, the patients head is lifted and the film cassette holder removed. Thus, multiple roentgenograms may be taken inseveral planes about the cranium without intermediate movement of the patients head and its attendant discomfort. The patients head need be moved only twice, once to position the film-holding cassette and once to remove it. In addition, once the film cassette holder is in place, insertion of the film cassette between the two planar members ensures that the film in the cassette will be held in a flat condition and uniformly normal to the rays emanating from the portable X-ray machine. By using a rigid, radiotransparent material for the top planar member, not only is the film cassette held in a flat condition, but this condition is achieved without the need for increased radiation or the introduction of unwanted foreign images on the exposed X-ray film. Film flatness is obtained when the cassette is in the normal position by the use of the linear slot to retain the lower portion of the film cassette in conjunction with the cassette support post and its adjustable clamp member which engages the top edge of the cassette.

Although the procedure described above relates to cranial roentgenograms, it and the device of the present invention are equally applicable to other anatomical roentgenograms where exposures must be taken rapidly in more than one plane without intermediate movement of the patient.

It is, therefore, a principal objective of the present invention to provide a portable X-ray film cassette holder for anatomical roentgenograms, particularly cranial roentgenograms, that will allow successive roentgenograms at different viewing positions to be taken without need for intermediate movement or discomfort of the patient.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a portable X-ray film support allowing fast positioning and repositioning of the X-ray film cassette.

It is an additional objective of the present invention to provide an X-ray film cassette holder that will automatically ensure that the film is held in a flat, planar condition both in the horizontal and upright positions.

It is a principal feature of the present invention that the use of the film cassette holding device does not require any increased radiation or result in the unwanted creation of foreign images on the roentgenogram.

It is a primary advantage of the present invention that the X-ray film cassette holder is of sufficient light weight and compactness to be placed in a drawer of a standard portable X-ray machine or hung on the wall when not in use.

It is a further advantage of the present invention that during exposure of a lateral cranial roentgenogram the patients head is automatically held in a position ensuring complete coverage by the X-ray film.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the X-ray film cassette holder of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the X-ray film cassette holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the X-ray film cassette holder of the present invention positioned under the head of a supine patient and showing an X-ray film cassette in vertical position for a lateral cranial roentgenogram.

FIG. 3A is a perspective detail view of the adjustable clamp member used to support the upper edge of the vertical X-ray film cassette of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of the X-ray cassette holder of the present invention positioned under the head of a supine patient and showing an X-ray film cassette horizontally positioned for an antero-posterior cranial roentgenogram.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the X-ray film cassette holder of the present invention in position for taking a superior cranial roentgenogram.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the X-ray cassette holder of the present invention in position for an anteroposterior cranial roentgenogram with the patients head in a lateral position.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a modification of the X-ray film cassette holder of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the X-ray film cassette holding device of the present invention is seen to comprise rectangular top and bottom plate members 20 and 22 respectively, each with an area slightly larger than that of a standard X-ray film cassette. The two plate members are of rigid material, with top member 20 being of plexiglass or other material transparent to X-ray radiation, and are fixedly attached to one another and parallely separated by a plurality of spacers 24 positioned around their periphery. The spacers are located, and the separation between the two plate members is of sufficient height, to allow the interplanar insertion of a standard X-ray film cassette at sides 25 and 27 and rear 29 of the cassette holder assembly.

Spaced along and parallel to three edges of top member 20 are three respective slots 26, 28 and 30, with slots 26 and 30 extending through front edge 32 of top member 20 and slot 28 wholly enclosed therein. Additional spacers 24 are used to support front edge 32 of top member 20 between slots 26 and 30. All three slots are of sufficient length and width that the lower portion of standard X-ray film cassette 34 may be insertedly engaged therein, as shown in FIG. 3, when the plane of the film cassette is oriented normal to that of plate member 20. Top member 20 also includes a plurality of circular holes 36, respectively spaced between slots 26, 28 and 30 and corresponding near edges 25, 29 and 27 of top member 20, for the insertion and retention of one end of cassette support post 38. Slideably attached to post 38 is adjustable clamp member 40, shown in detail in FIG. 3A, for engaging the top edge of normally oriented film cassette 34 to hold the cassette in a true normal position relative to the plane of the plate members. Holes 36 should be of sufficient diameter to snugly engage the lower portion of post 38, thereby preventing the post from tipping. Extra alignment accuracy may be obtained by forming a plurality of circular depressions 42 in bottom plate member 22 directly below holes 36, as shown in FIG. 3, to further engage and prevent the horizontal movement of the lower extreme of support post 38. t

To take an antero-posterior roentgenogram, the film cassette holding assembly is placed in a substantially horizontal position under the head of a supine patient,

as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, with front edge 32 nearest the patients shoulders. Standard X-ray film cassette 35 is then inserted between plate members and 22, as shown in FIG. 4, and portable X-ray machine 46 positioned above the patient so that the X-rays eminating therefrom will pass through the patients head and strike the-film am right angle as indicated by arrow 50.

After exposure, the film cassette may be removed and a new film cassette 34 positioned vertically alongside the patients head for a lateral roentgenogram, as shown in FIG. 3, by inserting the lower portion of the cassette into slot 26 and resting the lower edge of the cassette on upper face 48 of bottom plate member 22. To stabilize and support the film cassette when in the vertical position, the lower portion of cassette support post 38 is inserted into hole 36 in top member 20 and rested on upper face 48 of bottom member 22. If a depression 42 is formed in bottom member 22 below hole 36, the lower extreme of vertical support post 38 would I rest therein and have its horizontal movement limited thereby. Adjustable clamp member 40, slideably attached to the upper portion of support post 38, may be.

adjusted to engage the top edge of film cassette 34 to temporarily restrain the film cassette from tilting movement. Portable X-ray machine 46 is then repositioned head on top plate 20 and the insertion of the lower portion of film cassette 34 in slot 26, automatically insures the correct centering of the patients head for full coverage by the film cassette.

If an additional lateral roentgenogram is desired, cas- 6 vice is used thusly, successive roentgenograms of the front, back and side of the patients head maybe taken without intermediate movement of the patientshead between each roentgenogram.

In a modification of the cassette holder, shown in FIG. 7, bottom plate member 22 contains three linear grooves 52, 54 and 56 whose length, width and position respectively correspond to the three linear slots in top member 20. With this modification, the lower portion of a film cassette may be inserted through one of the slots in top member 20 and seated in the corresponding groove in bottom member 22. The addition of the used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and I limited only by the claims which follow.

sette support post 38 may be repositioned to hole 36 on the opposite side of the patients head, a new film cassette inserted into slot 30 and retained there by clamp member 40 of post 38, and portable X-ray machine 4 repositioned accordingly.

With the alternate positioning of the cassette holder assembly shown in FIG. 5, used when taking a superior (top) roentgenogram, the patients shoulders are elevated and the film holder either propped at an angle as shown or elevated horizontally to match the height of the patients shoulders, and the portable X-ray machine 46 positioned, accordingly. A new film cassette 51 is then inserted in slot 28 near the top of the patents head and supported there by cassette support post 38 and clamp member 40 while the exposure istaken. If the film cassette holder is originally placed in this position, four successive roentgenograms, one anteroposterior, two, lateral, and one superior, may be taken without intermediate movement of the patients. head between each exposure.

If the patient is not confined to a supine position, or

if the head injury is suchthat the head cannot be rested on its posterior surface, the film cassette holder can be held in an elevated position be pillows or other supportive structure, as shown in FIG. 6,. and the head placed thereoii in a lateral position.'When the film holding de- What is claimed is:

1. A portable device for holding and supporting an X-ray film cassette during roentgenography of an object comprising means for supporting said object and means for positioning and holding film cassettes in three successive mutually-orthogonal planes about said object without need for intermediate movement of said device or object. 8

2. A portable device for holding and supporting an X-ray film cassette during roentgenography of an object comprising: I

a. a planar top member of material transparent to X-ray radiation and sufficiently rigid to support, without bending, the weight of said object;

b. a planar bottom member;

c. a plurality of separator meansfor fixedly attaching said top member to said bottom member and maintaining a parallel separation therebetween sufficient to allow the interplanar insertion and removal of an X-ray film cassette, said separator means being spaced around the periphery of said top and bottom members such that said film cassette may i be inserted and removed from at least two mutually-perpendicular sides of said device.

3. The device of claim, 2 wherein said top member further comprises means for holding an X-ray film cas sette in at least two mutually perpendicular positions substantially normal to the plane of said top member.

4. The device of claim 3 further including a plurality of linear slots formed near and spaced along the periphery of said top member for engaging the lower portion of said film cassette when removably inserted therein, and vertical support means for temporarily securing and supporting said film cassette in a fixed position with its plane normal to that of said top member.

5. The device of claim 4 furtherincluding a plurality of linear grooves formed along and near the periphery of the upper surface of said bottom member and directly below said linear slots of said top member for en- 7 gaging the lower edge of said film cassette when removably inserted therein. 7

6. The device of claim 4 wherein said vertical support means comprises a plurality of holes formed near and spaced along the periphery of said top member respectively proximate said slots; post means removably mountable in said holes; and adjustable clamp means slideably attached to said post means for temporarily securing said film cassette in a fixed position with its plane normal to that of said top member.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said vertical support means further includes a plurality of depressions formed near and spaced along the periphery of the upper surface of said bottom member and located beneath said holes of said top member for engaging the lower extremity of said post means when mounted therein.

8. A portable device for holding and supporting an X-ray film cassette during cranial roentgenography comprising:

a. a planar top member of material transparent to X-ray radiation and sufficiently rigid to support, without bending, the weight of a human head;

b. a planar bottom member; 0. a plurality of separator means for fixedly attaching means cooperating with at least one of said planar members for holding an X-ray film cassette in a position extending above and substantially normal to the plane of said top member and respectively parallel to and proximate any one of three edges thereof; and

' cassette support means attachable to at least one of said planar members for temporarily securing and supporting an X-ray film cassette when said cassette is positioned with its plane normal to that of said top member and parallel to and proximate any one of three edges of said top member. 

1. A portable device for holding and supporting an X-ray film cassette during roentgenography of an object comprising means for supporting said object and means for positioning and holding film cassettes in three successive mutually-orthogonal planes about said object without need for intermediate movement of said device or object.
 2. A portable device for holding and supporting an X-ray film cassette during roentgenography of an object comprising: a. a planar top member of material transparent to X-ray radiation and sufficiently rigid to support, without bending, the weight of said object; b. a planar bottom member; c. a plurality of separator means for fixedly attaching said top member to said bottom member and maintaining a parallel separation therebetween sufficient to allow the interplanar insertion and removal of an X-ray film cassette, said separator means being spaced around the periphery of said top and bottom members such that said film cassette may be inserted and removed from at least two mutually-perpendicular sides of said device.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said top member further comprises means for holding an X-ray film cassette in at least two mutually perpendicular positions substantially normal to the plane of said top member.
 4. The device of claim 3 further including a plurality of linear slots formed near and spaced along the periphery of said top member for engaging the lower portion of said film cassette when removably inserted therein, and vertical support means for temporarily securing and supporting said film cassette in a fixed position with its plane normal to that of said top member.
 5. The device of claim 4 further including a plurality of linear grooves formed along and near the periphery of the upper surface of said bottom member and directly below said linear slots of said top member for engaging the lower edge of said film cassette when removably inserted therein.
 6. The device of claim 4 wherein said vertical support means comprises a plurality of holes formed near and spaced along the periphery of said top member respectively proximate said slots; post means removably mountable in said holes; and adjustable clamp means slideably attached to said post means for temporarily securing said film cassette in a fixed position with its plane normal to that of said top member.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said vertical support means further includes a plurality of depressions formed near and spaced along the periphery of the upper surface of said bottom member and located beneath said holes of said top member for engaging the lower extremity of said post means when mounted therein.
 8. A portable device for holding and supporting an X-ray film cassette during cranial roentgenography comprising: a. a planar top member of material transparent to X-ray radiation and sufficiently rigid to support, without bending, the weight of a human head; b. a planar bottom member; c. a plurality of separator means for fixedly attaching said top member to said bottom member and maintaining a parallel separation therebetween sufficient to allow the interplanar insertion and removal of an X-ray film cassette, said separator means being spaced around the periphery of said top and bottom members such that said film cassette may be inserted and removed from at least two mutually-perpendicular sides of said device; d. means cooperating with at least One of said planar members for holding an X-ray film cassette in a position extending above and substantially normal to the plane of said top member and respectively parallel to and proximate any one of three edges thereof; and e. cassette support means attachable to at least one of said planar members for temporarily securing and supporting an X-ray film cassette when said cassette is positioned with its plane normal to that of said top member and parallel to and proximate any one of three edges of said top member. 